Trouble reading? View in browser

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS

for your eyes only

APRIL 12, 2019 | VOLUME LXVIII, ISSUE 13

Read More

Property insurance rates are on the rise

FAIA President &CEO Jeff Grady

The historically soft Florida property market is disappearing and, infact, may be moving closer to the definition of a hard market…i.e.,restricted capacity and higher prices. Recent quoting activity makesthis no mystery to independent agents, but there are several otherindicators that make this observation more than just an opinion.

Fred Phelps retiring after 21 years of service

For the past 21 years, if anyone had a question about FAIA MemberServices’ many programs, the person to call was Fred Phelps. Amainstay at Convention, Fred could frequently be found at theFAIA/FMS booth in the Exhibit Hall, sharing his vast insuranceknowledge with all who asked. With a 50-plus year insurance career,that started by working on the company and, later, the agency side,

Send Fred a Message

Session update

Read More

FAIA Director ofBusiness Services

Fred Phelps

Fred found his way to FAIA in 1998 as the FMS director of BusinessDevelopment. Twenty years later, Fred has made the decision to stepaway from the business that he has given so much to. Like us, we'recertain that many of you will miss Fred's presence here at FAIA. Ifyou'd like to share a fun memory or simply say "farewell" click belowto send a message. His last official day will be Friday, April 19. We'reeternally grateful for his dedication to FAIA and we'll be wishing himthe best as he moves on to enjoying retirement with his wife, Linda.

ADVOCACY

Where we are now: 2019 Session update

FAIA Senior VP ofPublic Affairs Kyle

Ulrich

We're at the midpoint of the 2019 regular legislative session, and sofar most of FAIA’s priorities are moving through the process quitewell. Assignment of Benefits (AOB) reform, which has been a priorityof the insurance industry for the last five years, is much further alongthan in previous sessions.

ON THE HORIZON

Out with the old, in with the new community

FAIA VicePresident and CIO

Paul Peeples

In the next few months, FAIA will roll out a modern, state-of-the-art,closed community called “Mycommunity” that will scale with the highdemands of today’s users and will fully integrate with our associationmanagement system and broadcasting tools. This new communitywill enhance the user experience and create a much more engagedcommunity for our members.

YOUNG AGENTS

Young Agents raise $14,015 for InsurPacShout out to all the Young Agents who spent their morning dialing for dollars to supportInsurPac as part of this year's Political Summit. In just three hours, 18 Young Agentsraised a grand total of $14,015 for InsurPac. Did you know?InsurPac represents the unified political voice of the Independent Insurance Agents &Brokers of America, Inc.'s 23,000 member agencies and 300,000 agents and brokersnationwide. InsurPac raises money to contribute to candidates running for federal office,while increasing agent visibility on Capitol Hill and empowering members to participate inthe political process.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Last chance to nominate a Board member

Nominations for individuals wishing to serve on the 2019–2020 FAIA Board of Directorsare open through April 19, 2019. Any agency member in good standing may benominated for the board by an individual, local board, or by self-nomination. Help usachieve our mission—to serve the needs of Florida insurance agents and consumers bypromoting a healthy and competitive insurance environment—and submit yournomination online.

Nominate

Mitchell StallingsNominations are now being accepted for FAIA's most prestigious honor: The MitchellStallings Memorial Award. Named in honor of Past Chairman Mitchell Stallings, the awardrecognizes a lifetime of leadership, integrity, and service to the property & casualtyinsurance industry. Nominations are due by May 3, 2019.

Nominate

CONVENTION

Closing night party will rock!FAIA's changing things up this year with a Closing Night Party! You'll have plenty of timeto network with company participants and other agents during the dinner, which starts at6:00 p.m. Then, modern country singer-songwriting duo LOCASH will perform a privateconcert at 7:30 p.m. For guaranteed seating at the concert, purchase priority seating. TheKids Zone will be open for those who want to enjoy an adult-only evening.

Get Priority Seats

IN MEMORIAM

Lynn WhiteIt is with great sadness that we report the death of our friend andcolleague, Lynn White. Lynn had worked for FAIA Member Services for

several years, until deciding to retire last year at age 81. A well respectedmember of the insurance industry for nearly 60 years, it was fitting thatshe be recognized with the Irma Platt Award. She was a faithful memberof Grace Lutheran Church and a lifelong Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Hergentle smile and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew her. Readmore about her life.

NEW DESIGNATIONS

Congratulations to the following individuals for attaining theirdesignations:

Phyllis D. Buncik, FCCI Insurance Group, SarasotaTracy Ann Chapman, Stuart Insurance, Inc., Palm CityKevin Leon Foust, USI Insurance Services, LLC, TampaHeather A. Galley, FCCI Insurance Group, SarasotaNicole DeArmas Thompson, Lumbra Risk Advisors, LLC dba LRAInsurance, Orlando

Dawn Clermont, McGriff Insurance Services, St. PetersburgJulie Greiner, Bogart & Brownell Insurance, MiramarAndrea A. Lopez, BB Insurance Marketing, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale

Katherine Mary Buckley, Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., West PalmBeachJaclyn Kniffen, Insurance Office of America, Inc., LongwoodBillie Neeley, Nature Coast Insurance Agency, Inc., InvernessCheryl Collins Nevins, Lykes Insurance, Inc., Ft. MyersDonna Maria Perusi, Bateman Gordon & Sands, Inc., LighthousePointLesley Phillips, Willis Towers Watson, Tampa

NEW MEMBERS

AGENCY MEMBERS

Autolife Insurance Group, Inc.: Lakewood RanchEmerald Crest Insurance: Santa Rosa BeachIMAX Insurance Group: Miami

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

QuikFuzion, LLC: Lancaster, PA

HEADLINES

MEMBER NEWS

Baldwin Risk Partners, LLC, Tampa: named Dan Galbraith as its new chiefoperating officer. Also, completed its acquisition of Lykes Insurance.Brightway Insurance: started its new independent agent program.Joe Finney, The Villages Insurance Partners, LLC: named one of the 2019Agents of the Year by the Travelers Companies, Inc.

INDUSTRY NEWS

AIG: announced that Kathleen Zortman as president and CEO of Private ClientGroup, General Insurance.American Family Insurance: announced plans to acquire Ameriprise Auto &Home.AmWINS Group: named Alycia Kiley as senior vice president.Main Street America Group: promoted Jeff Kusch to president of field operationsand Chris Listau to president of insurance operations.Marsh & McLennan Cos.: completed its acquisition of Jardine Lloyd ThompsonGroup.Nationwide Insurance: CEO Steve Rasmussen announced plans to retire in 2019.Universal Insurance Holdings: entered the Illinois homeowners insurancemarket.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FAIA EVENTS

June 19–21, 2019: 115th Anniversary Convention and Educational Symposium;Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando.Aug. 7–9, 2019: Summer Leadership Conference; The Breakers, Palm Beach.

LOCAL BOARD EVENTS

April 18, 2019: IIA of Central Florida, Big I Day; Topgolf, Orlando.April 18, 2019: IIA of Palm Beach County, CE, Mini Golf, and Networking; Putt’nAround Mini Golf & Sports Bar, Delray Beach.April 25, 2019: IIA of Tallahassee, Big I Day; TBD.May 2, 2019: Lee County AIIA, Big I Day; Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club, Ft.Myers.May 9, 2019: IA of Tampa Bay, Big I Day; Topgolf, Tampa.May 15, 2019: IIA of Broward County, Networking & Legislative Update; Chops &Hops, Ft. Lauderdale.May 16, 2019: IIA of Palm Beach County, Big I Day; PGA National Resort, West PalmBeach.

YOUNG AGENTS COUNCIL EVENTS

April 25, 2019: YAC Zone 5, PB&J Drive (with a cornhole and bocce ball tournament)to benefit United Against Poverty; The Brass Tap, Orlando.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

April 23, 2019: St. Pete College Expo and Career Fair; EpiCenter, Clearwater.May 8–10, 2019: IIABA Legislative Conference; Renaissance Washington, D.C.,Downtown, Washington, D.C.May 9, 2019: Suncoast Insurance Professionals, Fashion Show Luncheon; The FieldClub, Sarasota.Trusted Choice sponsors Make-A-Wish Walks:

1. April 13, 2019: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa.2. May 18, 2019: Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville.

A publication of the Florida Association of Insurance AgentsPO Box 12129, Tallahassee, FL 32317-2129850-893-4155 | Visit us online

Manage Your E-Mail Preferences | Unsubscribe

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted inany form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise-without the priorwritten permission of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. FAIA does not give legal advice. Agents areurged to seek the counsel of a licensed Florida attorney familiar with the Florida Insurance Code.